31 Dec 2014

My Favourite Photographic Moments of 2014

After the scrum had gone - Mesa Arch in Utah's Canyonlands National Park

Given that it's New Year's Eve and I'm trying to stave off jetlag I thought I'd keep myself busy by collating some of my favourite photos from this year, as I've done for the past couple of years. I managed to cram in quite a few trips in 2014 - Iceland twice, Norway's Lofoten Islands, a big road-trip to the US south-west, a family visit to Austin, Texas and a couple of city breaks to Prague and Rome! As a result there's quite a few highlights, which I've shown in chronological order.

Iceland - March 2014
I travelled to the east of the country for the first time this year, as well as some my my regular favourites (Jökulsárlón, Vik, Reykjavik). I also managed to see some decent northern lights for a change.

Reflections near Stokksnes, south-east Iceland

The most magnificent blue iceberg on Jökulsárlón Beach, south-east Iceland

The golden hour at Jökulsárlón lagoon, south-east Iceland

Finally some northern lights over Jökulsárlón

The annual self-portrait at Lómagnúpur, my favourite Icelandic mountain, along the south coast

The wonderful wrecked US Navy DC3 near Vik, southern Iceland

Prague - May 2014
I spent a chilly weekend in Prague in May with my hubby and father-in-law. First time back since a visit as a child in 1981 - had changed quite a bit!

View of Prague old town from Petrin Hill on an overcast day

Prague's Charles Bridge at sunrise - nice and empty!

A cartoonist takes a break with a book on Prague's Charles Bridge, as tourists walk by

Long exposure at sunset, looking up at Prague Castle

Lofoten Islands - June 2014
A last-minute holiday was snuck in before some surgery in July - the choicewas between Norway's Lofoten Islands or the Faroe Islands. The Lofoten Islands won out as the weather-forecast was better. It's a bit of a pain to get to, but the scenery is fantastic. Just make sure you don't get caught speeding...

The view of Olstind from our rorbu (hut) at Eliassen on the island of Hamnøy; typical moody weather

The sun sets over Olstind, seen from Hamnøy

Hiking near Munkebu Hut, near Sørvagen in the Lofoten Islands

A late-night midsummer hike to Kvalvika beach on the Lofoten Islands

A view of the pretty rorbuer (traditional fishermen's huts) of Reine, Lofoten Islands

Rome - August 2014
I would definitely not recommend Rome in the height of the summer - so hot and crowded! But I had the chance to go with my sister and nephew and managed to get a few good shots, in spite of the unpleasant conditions!

The imposing Altare Della Patria in Rome

The Colisseum in black & white

Tourists rest in the shade of the massive pillars at the Vatican City

The rather clichéd shot of the spiral staircase at the Vatican Museum

Sunset over the Vatican City

Iceland - September 2014
Iceland again! Another last-minute trip, as a result of the eruption of the Holuhraun volcano - I just had to fly over and see it. It's a lot more colourful in September than March. Any excuse...

The mighty Dettifoss on a very windy day

More northern lights! This time over Dimmuborgir, near Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland

The thing I went over to see - Holuhraun volcano erupting!

Another day, another waterfall - this is Goðafoss, near Akureyri

A new discovery - Holufossar in north-west Iceland

Another new destination - the impressive basalt stack at Hvitserkur in north-west Iceland

Back to the pretty waterfalls near Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsnes Peninsular

South-West USA Road-trip - September 2014

Something we'd talked about for a while, and finally got round to doing - a road-trip encompassing SW Colorado, NW New Mexico, NE Arizona and the bottom half of Utah. Too many highlights, so here's a very small selection.

Sunset at the Totem Pole in Monument Valley - the dunes were untouched and stunning!

A rare moment of solitude in Lower Antelope Canyon

A woman squats to photograph Horseshoe Bend, near Page, Arizona

A couple hikes up The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah

The sunset shot of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah

A different view of the sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Austin, Texas - Christmas 2014
Back to the US for the last trip of the year - this time to celebrate Christmas with the in-laws just north of Austin. Took a few trips into the city centre, as well as practised star trail shots.

View of Austin's skyline seen from Lady Bird (Town) Lake

Star trails above the Texas Hill Country

The Texas Capitol Building in Austin, complete with dreadful coloured paint on the dome!

It hasn't all been travel; I've also managed to get a few shots of London, as well as friends and family.

London

The lovely tree-lined avenue in Wandsworth Park

A long exposure at sunset, looking across to the Houses of Parliament

Shadows of visitors to the magnificent poppy display at the Tower of London

View of Tower Bridge at dusk

A tall ship sails down the Thames past Greenwich

Cool girl at Columbia Road Flower Market in east London

Old meets new in East London

A woman walking down Rivington Street in Shoreditch, east London

Masked demonstrators in Trafalgar Square

One of the pillars in Trafalgar Square

Buses at Oxford Circus, with the Christmas Lights just visible

Autumn leaves in Parsons Green on one of the early frosty mornings

Family & Friends

My friends Rob & Georgie's wedding

The essence of Mands, taken at Rob & Georgie's wedding

My niece Lottie

My niece Surya

My friend Helen, who is a fantastic singer, at a recording studio

My first pregnancy shoot - this is Alli

My first new-born baby shoot! This is Alli with week-old Stella

And of course no year of photography would be complete without some photos of my beloved cocker spaniel Henry.

Henry, taken with a rented 21mm Zeiss lens

Henry waiting for dinner

It's a hard life being Henry

Henry does not like the Christmas hat

Last but not least, a photo that totally captures Henry's personality for me.

So that's all folks for this year - look forward to lots more photos next year! First trip planned is Iceland, February 2015!